Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-01-12
FROM THE LAND OF FLOWERS.

EAST JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 5, 1887.
Editor Republican: l write you in mid winter
from Florida, the land of flowers; land of
gardens where imprisoned roses gaze sweet with
a delicious perfume; land where hedges are
made of the climbing Cherokee rose, covered
with its pure white bloom; where cape jassi-
mine and snowy japonicas flourish, land OF
stately magnolia trees with their elegant and
fragrant blossom; land of trees that are ever
green, festooned by vines and ever pendant moss;
gray like the moe kings of Father Time; quaint
device of humid atmosphere. This is also
land of groves OF golden fruit. which enriches
Its owners. land Of turpentine, made from
the interminable forests of the aspiring pine,
through,,whose foliage the oceans breeze is tenn
pered and fans life-giving aromatic odor.
Here is land OF ports, where ships, steamboats,
and all water-craft find harbor to all the orld.
A land for the colored race, shadows of the sun.
and its devotees; land of romance aud poetry;
a land of sweets-sugar-c and treacle-and a
land of cotton to absorb and erase all "treacle"
traces; land of alligators and great snakes-yes,
rattesnakes. the size of mans arm and six or
seven feet in length. encountered one myself
but it was hanging in Chung Wings curiosity
establishment and very dead. Yes, here is
land where shining rivers, lagoons and bayous
tessetate the landscape. and where the yerdure
of a tropical vegetation reigns supreme. This is
land of sand and water prolific in its kind; it's
a land of the sun that warns into life. Come
and receive new vigor in its vertical rays, for
verify heat is life and cold is death. Why will
you freeze in your mountains of snow-30 de-
grees below zero.
What 1 have observed of Jacksonville is that
it is thriving Southern city OF about $4,000 in
nabitants Street cars run through the city out
to East Jacksonville, and beyond ferry-boat
runs across the st. John river to SoutL Jackson
ville where LA Villa acknowledgements
Mitchelps Southern home-is situated, and
where also stands the big Oak" and ''Twin
Oaks of Florida, a target for artists. jack
sonyille is the open door to Southern Florida.
ST. Augustine. Pablo Beach and Palatka are
within easy distance by rail or boat. Already
excursion rates are offered at cheap prices to
points of interest. such $40 for the round trip
to Pensacola, De Funick Springs (the Southern
Chatauqua), Chiply and Tallahassee, allowing
ten days for stop-offs. This city consists mostly
of hotels and boarding houses, all with upper
and under verandas. porches and piazzas 1t is
all out doors in the South; people go out doors
to retire. The streets here have large shade
trees draped with gray moss, which has sombre
look. Pigs go about at large, the mother with
/ her infant progeny regardless of consequences
the old one taking down gates to suit her pleas
ure in search of stray provender. Mongrel dogs
of all sizes make the weikin ring in the dark
hours. Every day, morning and evening, we
hear the mournful cry, like sourd of mortal
distress, of Morn Times" Morn pape,',
',Evenin' pape," "Evenin' pape from the little
niger news-boys
The 'horse" power here consists mostly of a
mule and two-wheeled cart. and darkey lad
drives, humping along the streets the day
| through with pine wood, ever belaboring the
| patient beast to s'geat up" The several saw
| mills here, running day and night, keep up an
unlimited supply of pine for fresh torture to the
| poor mule. Yet, what are pigs, dogs, niggers,
| sand, and slowness of country. excepting the
rapid evaporating money (nlelting away. gone
in no time), meridian or sun-they are trihes
compared to the beauties of climate, warmth,
fruit, flowers the ocean breeze, the sightseeing,
| the traditional surroundings the newness OF an
old country the sea that is ready and the ships
that make sail to every port
Bay street is the principal business thorough
| fare, and presents busy scene now during the
holidays All stores are represented at their best
| Evergreens, flags, fruits of different varieties,
luscious oranges in abundance fancy..Wares and
curios of all kinds. shells, alligators, alive and
dead-in short gay display is made at this
time as the winter season is the Southern har-
vest Visitors are coming daily, and keep COM
| ing as late as March to avoid that month at the
north The Warner House, where first stopped
until found my friends. Capt. and Mrs. Moule,
is attractive and homelike. Rates are reasonable,
cuisine good, and the social element refined-a
| good place to stay, as Mr. Cole the landlord, is
| Northerner.
! Christmas day was celebrated here the same
as we do the 4th of July, ire-crackers and fire.
| works doing service. Our honored stars and
stripes were displayed and foated over all.
Dancing by the negro population is lively
amusement with them upon that day. We at.
tended service at st. Andrews little chapel,
where they had genuine holly tree decorated
very beautifully, and reminded me of st. Paul's
| at home; and later attended st. Johns in tn {
] city, a large and handsome church. They have